"Early in the Morning" is a song originally performed by The Gap Band, and written by member Charlie Wilson and producers Lonnie Simmons and Rudy Taylor.
Chart performance
It was released as a single in 1982 and went on to become their biggest hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 24. It also topped Billboard's R&B chart for three weeks[2] and reached number 13 on the dance chart.[3]
The song was a hit again when Robert Palmer covered it in 1988. This version peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is to date the highest charting version of the song on that chart.[5]Cash Box said that Palmer "creates a Volga River Boatman-like chorus that clearly illustrates his image of early morning loneliness."[6]
Popular culture
The song was used as the music for a film-making montage in Michel Gondry's 2008 film, Be Kind Rewind.
